#StoryTuesday: The Judgement (Season Finale)

 

READ episode two > #StoryTuesday: The Judgment (Episode Five)
Continue with final episode below:

“…….Tunde Maku, you have been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and for that you are have been sentenced to 5 years in jail but due to the plea bargain made by your lawyer your sentence would now be carried out in this following way……….”

The First Courting Hearing

Tunde lawyers had come up with some strong point they feel would help get a ground for his trial and a total dismissal of the case but the lawyer that the state provided to defend the deceased was good, like she was so good. She didn’t not only make sure that the case had a second hearing but was able to convince the judge that the deserved punishment for Tunde was a jail term.

Couples Lawyer: You honour, my client didn’t commit any crime they are more of a victim here.

Tunde’s Lawyer: Objection your honour

 Judge: On what grounds

Tunde’s Lawyer: False declaration

Judge: Overruled

Couples Lawyer:  Thank you your honour, like I said my client are the victims here, let’s look at the fact, first of, the road where the accident occurred is an express meaning no citizen should cross the road without using the pedestrian bridge. Also there is traffic light 5mins away from the crime scene meaning my client couldn’t have powered enough speed and velocity to hit and kill a dog let alone a human unless of course there was an external force which in this case was the force Tunde here used when he pushed the deceased.  Your honour I would ask the court not to hold my client responsible for another man’s error, like I said my client is just a victim of circumstances.

Judge took some minutes making notes before he gave Tunde’s lawyer the signal to proceed with his argument. Tunde’s lawyer did the best he could do but the fact that the alleged money that was said to have been stolen from Tunde was no where to be found and the policemen who was at the crime scene also testified that they didn’t see any money and when it was asked if it was possible if someone in the crowd could have taken the money the policemen all gave a negative answer and this left the judge with no options than to find Tunde guilty but that sentence was passed that day.

The judge postpone the hearing so that the state could also come up with its own lawyer that would build a case for the deceased and if no case was built the judge would now have to pass his judgment based on all the evidence that has been presented to him.

Tunde’s mother was all in tears when she heard that the case didn’t go their way even though she was told that there is still a way to swing the case back to there side but she was too bitter that she was just crying and saying “mo ti ku oooooo, omo ma di elewon”. Tunde did all the best he could telling his mother about the plans the lawyers have to make sure he didn’t go to jail but his mother being a mother couldn’t just stop crying.

The Second Courting Hearing

The second hearing was a straight forward process, it didn’t take much argument compared to the first one. Tunde’s lawyer found out who the state lawyer was going to be a week before the hearing and he was able to win the case even before they headed to the court for the second hearing.

Tunde’s Lawyer: So what would you be drinking?

State Lawyer: Well I would have the usual

 Tunde’s Lawyer: Alright then (he said as he waved his hand to the barman to bring two bottles of Guinness)

State Lawyer: What is all this? (he asked as Tunde’s lawyer dropped some file in her front)

Tunde’s Lawyer: Come on don’t play dumb with me, of course you know what that is, that is your case file

State Lawyer: I know what it is of course, what I mean why are you giving me my own case file and if I may ask how did you get a copy?

Tunde’s Lawyer: Okay I am going to cut to the chase, the accused in this file is my client and we have already lost the first hearing so I need you to win this second hearing

State Lawyer: Is this you trying to make a deal with me or are you just scared that I would once again defeat you in the court room?

Tunde’s Lawyer: Sorry to disappoint, this isn’t any of that, I am here because I am trying to save an innocent man and preventing you from sending the wrong man to jail plus if I am to add remember you owe me one

State Lawyer: Oh I see you are here to collect what I owe you. is that it?

Tunde’s Lawyer: No of course not, let me put it this way, why would you even take this case in this first place?, I mean first of your client is dead and record shows that he is a known thief who if I am to spell out died while trying to rob my client

State Lawyer: You keep saying he robbed your client but there is no evidence that your client was robbed, the money in question can’t be found plus the witness I have spoken with said they saw my client with a briefcase and your client was the one chasing after him so tell me how was it that it was your client that was robbed and not mine?

Tunde’s Lawyer: Come on, you should know that things aren't always the way they seems to be, if you did your findings well you would also discover that when my client left his work place that day he had the same briefcase with him and don’t give me that crap that it wasn’t possible for someone else to have taken the briefcase from the scene without the police seeing him when we both know that the police didn’t arrive the scene immediately which begs the question what happened before the police arrived?.

State Lawyer: Okay let's say I want to believe your theory which I have not said I believe but let's just assume I agree with you, I have taken the case already I can’t throw the case out of court now and even if I do they would just find another lawyer that would pick it up

Tunde’s Lawyer: I am not saying you should reject the case, in fact I am glad the case fell on your laps, I just need you to let the judge see reasons why my client shouldn't be sent to jail.

State Lawyer: And how do you suggest I do that?

 Tunde’s Lawyer: You find my client guilty of involuntary manslaughter which would bag a minimum of 5 years jail term for first offender. Then you tell the judge that the state has recommended that accused should spend his jail term as community service.

State Lawyer: You have to be kidding me, community service based on what?

Tunde’s Lawyer: Haven’t you always boost that you are better than me in the court room, if that is true I am sure you would figure it out

State Lawyer:  If I do this……..

Tunde’s Lawyer: I know, you don’t have to say it

That was how their conversation about the case ended that night and a week after Tunde was sentenced to 1 year of community service.

Next story titled SHALEWA will begin in two weeks time....